Ontario Helping More Women Build Skills and Get Jobs: Welding Training for Women at SLC

Media Release issued by the Ontario government.

The Ontario government is investing up to $1.96 million over three years through the Women’s Economic Security Program to support two employment training programs for low-income women in Kingston. This investment will provide up to $1.2 million for Kingston Employment Youth Services’ entrepreneurship training program and up to $764,000 for CWB Welding Foundation’s Women of Steel training program at St. Lawrence College.

This funding is part of the government’s investment of up to $26.7 million over three years in 25 local programs across the province that provide career training opportunities for women, helping them gain the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to find a job, start a business and achieve financial independence.

“The Women’s Economic Security Program empowers women to achieve financial independence by breaking down barriers to career training opportunities,” said Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity. “I’m proud of our government’s continued support for local, community-based training programs that help women across the province reach their full potential and achieve the career success they deserve.”

The Women’s Economic Security Program offers training in four streams: skilled trades, entrepreneurship, information technology, and general employment. To help remove barriers to participating, the training programs also include additional supports such as providing meals throughout the training day, transportation to and from training, and support finding child care.

Through the training program women who have experienced or are at risk of intimate partner violence, can also access wraparound supports, including referrals to mental health and well-being supports, counselling, housing, and legal support.

Women interested in the program can visit Ontario.ca/women.

“Ontario is taking a government-wide approach to address and prevent gender-based violence and support women’s economic empowerment,” said Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. “Through the Women’s Economic Security Program, we are helping women access in-demand careers, achieve financial independence and succeed in sectors that are vital to the economy.”

This investment is part of Ontario’s four-year action plan to prevent and address gender-based violence. In addition to the province’s $15 million investment over three years in the Women’s Economic Security Program, Ontario is providing up to another $11.7 million through the bilateral agreement with the federal government on the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence. 

QUICK FACTS

· Organizations funded under the Women’s Economic Security Program deliver employment, pre-employment, pre-apprenticeship, and entrepreneurship training to low-income women. The 25 training programs are delivered through partnerships between women-centred organizations, educational institutions, and businesses.

· Since its inception in 2018, the Women’s Economic Security Program has helped more than 2,600 women secure employment, become entrepreneurs, or pursue further training and education. This includes helping 1,298 women start small businesses and 237 get jobs in the skilled trades.

QUOTES

“I want to thank Minister Williams for her passion in supporting women in Ontario to reach their full potential and in particular realize the possibility and benefits of a career in the trades. She has championed a significant increase in women entering the trades and the financial and quality of life benefits of these great careers. As Minister Williams always says, ‘When women succeed, Ontario succeeds’.”- John Jordan, MPP, Lanark–Frontenac–Kingston 

“We are honoured to receive support from the Ontario government through the Women’s Economic Security Program. Women remain underrepresented in trades and technology careers, including welding and materials joining, yet through our programs over the past decade, they have consistently demonstrated their ability to excel and thrive. The practical and theory components paired with the real-world experience in a job placement will help participants gain the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the industry. We deeply appreciate the government’s commitment to fostering economic security and advancing career opportunities for women in skilled trades.”  -      Susan Crowley, Executive Director, CWB Foundation 

“We are proud to be able to deliver critical skilled trades training and education to women through the Women’s Economic Security Program funding. At St. Lawrence College we are committed to providing hands-on, real-world training to enable our graduates to be ready to enter the workforce with the skills required by today’s employers. We appreciate the support from the Ontario government to allow access to skilled trades training to more people and fill much-needed industry demand. SLC is very excited to be working with the CWB Welding Foundation and Women Building Futures and looking forward to a great partnership.” - Dr. Maher Ghalayini, Senior Vice President, Academic, St. Lawrence College